I’ve been MIA again because of work and a mild (probably stress-related) puniness so I am somewhat behind in tasting and in tasting notes.

Madam Potts has scored again! This is really uncanny. For those who don’t know about www.madpotsoftea.com, [CORRECTED! So sorry!] if you go there and choose Personalitea, you can fill out a questionnaire that Madame will then consult and anaylze to blend a tea specifically for you.

I felt like my questionnaire responses were all over the place, but in the note I got back with my tea Madame said that she had focused on a favorite scent family (chypre) because it was one she hadn’t worked with extensively, and on my fondness for Santa Fe.

When I read the ingredients (see above) I thought, hmmm. They didn’t exactly proclaim “Santa Fe” to me. Then I prepared my first cup, and guess what? Santa Fe.

The chypre must be coming from the lavender and cornflower. I’m getting a little coolness that must be from the valerian and clover. The pecans may be the source of the slight smokiness. And then there’s the orange peel, carob, cinnamon, and ginger, none of which stand out sharply, but all of which seem to blend into something subtle and exotic like a mole sauce — the classic Mexican sauce based on unsweetened chocolate and cinnamon and chiles.

I’ve had two cups so far. Both times I boiled the water, steeped 5 minutes, and let it cool to almost-tepid before drinking most of it. (I wanted to try the second cup hot, but my boss came up to chat with me.) Using an Earl Grey as the base ties the flavors together in a way I would never have guessed it could.

This is mysterious and seriously addictive for me, and I’m planning to order more.

I wish I could show you a picture of it. I have resisted moving into the smart phone era and do not have a digital camera. The bright blue of the cornflower petals and the pale lavender buds really stand out against the black tea leaves. And then you see the little chunks of orange peel and pecans and carob.

You should try the questionnaire. I am amazed by and very happy with my blend.

Clinique’s Aromatics, pure patchouli, and Cabochard by Gres perfumes are the scents I use for examples when people ask me what it is. I like bergamot and sandalwood too. But all of the above are a little strong for daily use so I mostly wear lavender cologne if I use it at all. How Madame Potts got from what I told her to this tea just boggles me. It’s perfect.

My hubby isn’t too find of lavender, though I like it well enough. He does like sandalwood and patchouli, ylang ylang, myrrh, and gardenia. I don’t wear much scent, so I try to buy scented candles, wax tarts like Scentsy, or oils. I looked at the wiki article on chypre to learn more about it. I don’t think I had ever heard that term! We learn new things on this site all the time! :)

People who liked this

Comments

Clinique’s Aromatics, pure patchouli, and Cabochard by Gres perfumes are the scents I use for examples when people ask me what it is. I like bergamot and sandalwood too. But all of the above are a little strong for daily use so I mostly wear lavender cologne if I use it at all. How Madame Potts got from what I told her to this tea just boggles me. It’s perfect.

My hubby isn’t too find of lavender, though I like it well enough. He does like sandalwood and patchouli, ylang ylang, myrrh, and gardenia. I don’t wear much scent, so I try to buy scented candles, wax tarts like Scentsy, or oils. I looked at the wiki article on chypre to learn more about it. I don’t think I had ever heard that term! We learn new things on this site all the time! :)